Why are Gas Prices So High in Pennsylvania?

Feeling the pain at the pump? The cost to fuel up in Pennsylvania is among the highest in the nation -- and it's only going to get worse. Just this week Western Pennsylvania's gas prices spiked nearly six cents, to about $3.72 a gallon. "It is still mind boggling, yes," said Erin Haney, Pennsylvania traveler.

It boggled the mind of a Pittsburgh's Action News Four viewer too, who emailed the station, questioning why South Carolina's gas is cheaper than Pennsylvania. Our crew took a road trip down to South Carolina for answers.

GAS MAP: Check out the Interactive Gas Map at the bottom of this article

In Pittsburgh we found gas reaching $3.85; Beckley, West Virginia about $3.75; Wytheville, Virginia $3.45; Statesville, North Carolina $3.69 and Greenville, South Carolina $3.24.

"You go from West Virginia to Pennsylvania, and it increases so much and I always wondered why but I never knew, figured it was something somebody's not willing to answer, so," said Erin Hickok, Beckley,West Virginia. "Why is South Carolina prices cheaper than North Carolina prices?" asked Alisha O'nley, Statesville, North Carolina.

While there's several factors for the price you pay, the gas tax in each state plays a leading role."I'm glad I live in south carolina," said Janet Hall, South Carolina.

Pennsylvania's state gas tax reaches about 41 cents a gallon, compare that to South Carolina's mere 16 cents. "You have to pay for the benefits you want, in essence there's not a free lunch," said Richard Kirkpatrick, PennDOT.

PennDOT says gas taxes did not keep up with inflation, leading Pennsylvania's transportation system into a $3 billion deficit. But now, Kirkpatrick says the new transportation plan will help deal with crumbling roads and bridges, stabilizing the system.

Reporter: "Why did it take so long, how did we get from zero to 3 billion?"

Kirkpatrick: "This has been a long standing issue it is very very difficult to ask people to pay more."

Part of the new plan, eliminates a cap on the Oil Company Franchise Tax, now, extending it to the full wholesaleprice. Bottom line, fuel companies determine how of the tax increase to pass on to consumers-- and that led to a 10 cent per gallon tax hike last January.

We asked Governor Corbett about the stark difference between Pennsylvania's gas prices compared to some other states. "You can't compare the two, you cannot compare the two, because everybody taxes differently, everybody funds their transportation differently," said Corbett.

But Republican State Representative Daryl Metcalfe accuses Governor Corbett of lacking the leadership to reduce spending. "We did not need this tax increase to deal with the infrastructure problems that we have, we have enough money already, we just need to spend it in an efficient manner," said Metcalfe.

By the fifth year of the transportation plan, the average person who drives roughly 12,000 miles a year, in a vehicle that gets 24 miles to the gallon, will spend an extra $2.50 a week, supporting improved transportation, said Kirkpatrick. Unlike some other states, Pennsylvania's gas tax pours into one fund dedicated toward state roads, bridges and portions toward state police.

In South Carolina, road revenue proves to be a bumpier ride. "The maintenance of the roads has been neglected so where we're at now, is trying to innovatively find funding to create a reoccurring revenue stream for maintenance," said State Rep. Raye Felder, South Carolina.

A gas tax could be one answer, but she says it won't solve the Palmetto state's 20-year forecast-- $29 billion dollars to fix broken roads and bridges. "I introduced legislation that would allow a county by county referendum to allow the voters to decide if they wanted to pay an additional 2 cent per gallon gas tax," said Felder.

Right now, that idea hasn't passed. And to top it off, many South Carolina lawmakers signed a no tax hike pledge.

Longtime AAA North and South Carolina spokesman Tom Crosby says it's all politics. "Gas taxes are always political and they don't want to raise the tax because they're afraid of not getting elected no matter how much the need is there," he said.

While Pennsylvania charges more at the pump, we don't pay some other fees. In York County South Carolina, there's an extra penny sales tax just for roads. Other fees include a property tax on vehicles to benefit schools.

Some people we spoke to in South Carolina say they would not want to pay higher gas, for better roads. "No, I like my cheap gas," said Alexis Whitmore, South Carolina. "I drive a lot."

South Carolina driver Brian Thompson says different. "I think it would be worth it if they spent that money on what it's supposed to be spent on, which was roads to begin with, and not special projects," said Thompson.

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